In exactly one week (or more for others), we will be faced with a long-awaited week we college kids like to refer to as spring break. The way I see it, you could be doing one of four things this spring break:

a.) Going home to enjoy a week of relaxation, Netflix, and non-stop questions from your family about school, your relationship status and other unfavorable topics.

b.) Going home with a friend to spend the week listening to THEM get heckled with non-stop questions. 

c.) Being a way better person than most of us are by going on a break trip where you will build houses, play with underprivileged kids, and help people who truly need it.

d.) Doing the stereotypical spring break that people depict in movies and television,  jetting off to a tropical location, drinking obscene amounts, and partying 24/7 with people you may or may not ever see again.

All of these choices are good and fun in their own way. We are college students after all; we need a break from the studying, paper writing and and other school-related activities.

While I want to sit here and advocate for choice D as I sit here thinking about warm weather, cute warm weather outfits and anticipating my arrival to Cancun, I want to advocate for doing something for spring break. 

Spring break is supposed to be fun! And while laying in your bed at home (that is approximately 1 million times more comfortable than your twin bed at school) watching Netflix and eating free food that your parents paid is beyond relaxing — it is not nearly as close to the potential that spring break can have. Trust me, after spending 2 breaks going home (shout out to Freshman and Sophomore year) and 1 (and now almost 2) breaks doing something  — doing something is definitely the better choice. 

There are a few reasons why this is: 

1. You could be helping someone.

If you're on a break trip, you are doing so much good and that is something you don't have time to do during the normal school time. You step out of your comfort zone, check your attitude at the door and do something that will truly help others for a lifetime. Note: I have never met a Nova student who has regretted a break trip.

2. You could see someone you don't get to see every day.

When you're at school, you get to see your new college friends all the time. You see them in class, for meals, at basketball games and at the bars on the weekends. They live a block away and communicating with them is more than easy. Now your home friends are a different story. Take a road trip and go visit your best friend who most-likely isn't on spring break yet (Thanks Nova). You will be exposed to new places, people and night life. Plus, you get to spend some time with the people who knew you when you were awkward and didn't know what makeup or a hair straightener was. 

3. You avoid your family.

Don't get me wrong, I am the first person to say that family is number 1 — and they are. HOWEVER, spending a week straight with your family who doesn't understand why you chose your major, that you are CHOOSING to stay single, or why you want to leave the house at midnight to go out (because that's what college students do) can get frustrating. Enough said. 

4. Warm weather.

I personally dub this one of the most important reasons why you should take full advantage of spring break. Contrary to what it feels like, there are places outside of the confines of our cold state that enjoy warm weather year round. I don't know about everyone else, but this sub zero weather and horrifying wind chill is sucking the life right of me. I am pale and cold. I want to be able to stand outside in shorts and a crop top without the threat of catching frost bite in 20 minutes. Going away to a place allows you to do that. Jet off to a land of warm weather, sun and the prospect of a tan. You will most likely come back extremely hungover and slightly burnt but pleased with the fact that you will be tan at Cocktail. #priorities

No matter what you decide to do or where you go for spring break, just remember that it's a time to get away from all of the work. It's easy to get wrapped up in homework, getting ahead on job/internship apps and any other academically-related things you can think of. But take a step back and make some you-time. After spending half a semester working as hard as we do — you all definitely deserve it. We have half a semester left to this year — rest up, hydrate (or don't), and don't forget to enjoy every minute because these are truly the best days of our lives. #SB15